Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-03-23

WORK 10 Sct Her IHinSS lcauy. IoOf
child! I've been cruel to her."
So when she had gone away to get
ready for the journey, and it was time
for me also to 90, hurried to the room
appointed for me, and knowing it was
next to hers, softly opened the door
and peeped in, meaning to kiss her,
and tell her she should always have
everything she wanted after this. The
room, however, was empty.
Her wedding-dress lay on the bed,
and ghostly veil and wreath foated
from gas fixture; but paper, pens, and
ink were on a desk, and saw that
even in this hurried moment she had
taken time to write u letter.
1t lay finished, but not folded, be-
side an unaddresscd envelope, and I
tiptoed eagerly across the room, hop
ing to read that she would settle that
little account as soon as possible, and
read this:
Indeed, sir, you are right. l shall suffer
miserably through all my honeymoon, and
it is your fault, not mine.
Il could hardly keep my tears back at the
altar for the pain. My husband must not
know, but shall be a martyr until l get
back. On the very day of my return l shall
see you; but as for forgiying yOu--never!
II relied on you so implicitly. How could
you? How could you?
PHGBE PALMER"
| glared about the room, looking
wildly for the letter to which this was
a reply. saw wisp of pink paper
on the floor, and caug ht it up. The
patter of little boot-heels was on the
floor of the hall, and / closed the door
behind me just in time.
Trembling with wrath-had / not
reason for it?-I unfolded the paper.
1t was only small piece of the note;
but read what it contained over and
over. 1t was this:
81 did not think it would give you pain
but can scarcely expect you to forgive me
| for breaking my engagement with you. /
| am so sorry cannot see you before you go,
| but your husband"
There the fragment ended and left
me in state of mind that threatened
congestion of the brain, to put myself
into traveling-suit and start on my
wedding Journey with bride | beliey-
ed already false to me.
Yet what could I do? Make a scene
before the wedding party? Get into
the papers, perhaps?
NO" l said to myself, IN have
revenge. but | won't disgrace myself
publicly" put the fragment into my
pocket-book.
Jane had been the children's nursery
maid. had promoted her to Phoebe
own waiting maid, and she was to 20
with us. There she was already, and ]
thought of all the diabolical maids in
French books as I looked at her.
We got into q carriage and ratified
furiously away toward the station, for
we were late. Phoebe was in tears
sat leaving home,'' she said. l made
no attempt to console her. / sat stiff1y
on my seat, with a hand on each knee,
James round little bullets of eyes star
ing hard at mes though she saw some
thing was the matter.
My heart burst, and my head ached;
| wonder was not seized with apo
plexy, being of such full habit. We
| got into the train at last, and Phoebe
looked at me in her dove-like way, as !
| stood beside her, looking Heaven only
knows how.
"You mustn't be angry with me. It's
so hard to leave mamma she said
pleadingly. Il won't cry any more. y
"You are at liberty to cry as much
as you like, madame" I said. 81
should think that you would feel like
shedding many bitter tears.
With this l strobe away into the
| smoking-carriage.
All through that wretched bridal
| journey l never gave my wife a civil
word or kindly look.
When she called to me, Don't you
feel we'll, PelhamG" ! replied: every;
you'll not be a rich widow just yet, my
dear" And after that we did not
speak again.
So we reached the hotel at Paris, and
after l had engaged rooms I had an in
terview with Jane alone.
Young woman" l said sternly, 81
am going to give you months wages
and discharge you, will also pay
your passage home"
"My goodness cried Jane. "Don't
missus want me9 Is she so double
dealing rs that?"
cit is l who don't want you," said;
you've helped to deceive me-"
'About what?" asked Jane.
"You gave your mistress letter to.
day." said 1.
"Well," said Jane, "do you think I'd
orter keep letter directed to missusp'
'You prevaricate, said /.
eff that's French for steal, don't, "
said Jane.
"You gave it to her slyly," said I.
"Well, she said was not to let you
see it," said Jane.
II know the contents of that letter, "
said /,
"There now" said Jane, II told her
you'd find out. But you don't mind,
do youP It's great deal commoner
than you'd think, and she's only got
two. Some young ladies has whole
lot"
"Twor gasped. unhappy girl!
only know of one"
"Why, I've got four" said Jane,
''and I'd tell anybody"
''Hardened young womanm said 1.
''But l am no longer deceived-that is
one comfort. will send that woman
back to her parents with YOU"
Jane stared at me.
II think you're crazy, Mr.. Palmer"
she said. $50 much better-looking
and younger as she is than you, now.
And you've got whole upper set, 1
believe. So there nowr' She stopped
and laughed. Il believe you're misled
somehow" she said. "You don't
think that letter was from one of mis-
sus's old beaux?"
II have read portion of the letter."
said fiercely. '1haye it here"
|. "Oh," said Jane, live got the other
two bits in my pocket. tucked them
out of your way in hurry. I'll show
you the whole together here"
+ She took from her pocket two pieces
of pink paper.
you'll feel better when you've
pieced that out" she said with a ma
licious grin. "Old bachelors do beat
ALL"
sat down at table with an empty
inkstand and a water cooler upon it,
pieced the letter together, and read
this:
"MY DEAR Miss PEARI,-I was called
away to extract tooth from the mouth of
a gentleman too i'll to leave his house. I
I CHI ha hon s,, 7